How can one be saved? - August 12th, 2011

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
 Romans 10:9-13

History and Context:

As I have quoted from Romans many times before I have also addressed the history and context many times before. For a refresher on the history of the Epistle to the Romans you can view The Power of Grace.

The Text:

This passage of scripture shows how simple salvation is. We like to make things complicated because it doesn't make sense that something so profound would be so simple, but Paul lays it out clearly here. All you have to do is confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that He was raised from the dead. That is it! He then goes on to remind us that it doesn't matter what race, color, or creed; "WHOEVER calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved". In God's eyes there are only two things that matter 1)Do you believe? and 2)Are you willing to confess Jesus as Lord. That is all.

The Challenge:

First of all, if any of you have never confessed Jesus as Lord, the challenge is to do so. As mentioned above, Paul has shown us how easy it is. Below there is a prayer that you can pray if you want help through it, but it is also great if you pray your own words. But after you do find someone to confess it to. Someone who can help you understand the life that God has for you.

Secondly, as I am aware that most of my readers have alread accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, here is your challenge. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14) Now that you are reminded of how simple it is to come to Christ, be the preacher. As mentioned above, one of the requirements is that they have to believe. How are they going to believe if no one tells them? God has called you to tell them.

The Prayer:

To confess Jesus as Lord:

Jesus, I believe that you died for me and that you rose from the dead. I confess you as Lord in my life and ask that you lead me into the path that you have for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

For those who have already confessed:

Lord, send me to the people who are waiting to hear about you. Help me to take the opportunities that you give me in order to share your Gospel. Give me the right words to speak in every situation. In  Jesus' name, Amen.